Chapter Two : Roots

The storm announced its presence, as the streets echoed amidst the heavens raining down. The electricity went off as we sat in the dead silence, only for a roll of thunder to tear through it.

Natalia fell back in my arms as we casually sat on the couch.

"Scared, honey?" I mocked.

She cast a seductive smile at me as she bit her lower lip. I gave in. Our lips locked in what were probably the best seconds of my life.

"So," I began.

"Hush." Said she, playfully placing her finger on my lips, reaching for my neck with the other. She pulled me in, all over her as she gently caressed my hair, firmly holding me with both her hands, she got close to me. We could hear each others' breathing, each of them screaming to the other - "Take me." I placed a mischevious kiss on her neck as I leaned all over her, smiles crossing both our faces as we continued our intimate interaction. Just then, I asked myself, "Where is Daniel?" I got back up and noticed something particularly uncanny, and rather creepy. Daniel was across the room, casually leaning against a wall. He wasn't moving at all, to a point where it was almost worrying and utterly scary. Nat had noticed this by now as well. She quickly thrust herself up and called out, "D-Daniel?" There was no response. I placed a foot out of the couch to go check what was on, as Daniel was a guy who was very alert and this just wasn't like him. I, however, was interrupted as Nat placed her hand on my chest shaking her head. He was looking in our direction, but I could say that he was too occupied to notice us.

"Maybe he's pulling a prank," I told myself as I thought of going on and check on him.

"I don't have a good feeling about this, babe." Said she. I held her hand. It was a fact that she was the one who had endured the most through this ordeal, and even though her concerns were very justified, I had to check on Daniel. I gently nodded at her as I slowly stepped towards Danny. He did not budge. This was highly disturbing. By now, I was there were less than a few inches between us.

"Danny?" Said I as I cautiously placed my arm on his shoulder.

"Huh?" Said he, shaking his head, visibly startled, as if he had suddenly been jolted back to his senses.

"What's wrong buddy?" I asked.

"It's nothing." Said he, as he displayed a brief, secretive smile.

"I haven't been sleeping well," he added. "Maybe I dozed off or something."

I could tell that he was lying, there was something that he was trying to hide, but I chose not to continue the discussion any further and tried to steer away.

"Fuck you and your formalities, that's what you said right?" Said I. "Go, get some sleep. We happen to have bedrooms." I said, mockingly.

"Yeah," said Nat. "You've really helped us a lot, Daniel. Come, I'll show you where the other bedroom is."

"No, it's chill," he began.

"Come on dude." I barged in. "You're not a visitor! Drop the formalities! "

"I'm sorry, Jay," He began. "I have to take off."

"What?" I began. "Have you see-"

"I have to go." He interrupted. "Now!"

And without a second look back, he ran out almost as if there was something chasing after him. It took him less than a few seconds to literally get his stuff and dash across the hallway, to the door. His speed was almost inhuman. I watched him as he got in his car and drove off in the direction opposite to the storm. Logical choice, but he almost hit a pole as a second car drove past him and parked in our second garage.

There was a heavy knock, loud enough to silence even the storm outside. Natalia reached out to answer and opened the door as a woman charged in. She had a neat blue shirt on along with a sober long skirt going just above her knees. Her black, silky hair was soaked wet, clearly showing that she had left in a hurry and had almost no time to prepare for the storm.

She held Nat firmly. Her hands firmly placed on her face and sleeves.

"Are you okay?" She began.

"Oh, I'm fine, Rose," Nat said. " What brings you here? You said it wasn't serious."

"I was wrong!" She screamed. "You are knee deep in trouble!"

"What do you mean?" I barged in.

"Are you Justin? Justin Saunders?" She said. Her eyes, wide with fear.

"Uh...Yes I am," said I.

"You have to come with me now!" She said as she held my hand dragging me out of the house.

"What is going on, Ros-?" Said Nat, visibly confused by now.

"I can't explain now. Come with me," she replied, as we drifted down the staircase.

"Get in! Quick" Said she, pointing towards a blue Cadillac carelessly parked less than halfway into the garage.

We got in as she commanded us both to take the back seats.

"Rosalia, tell me what's going on?" Asked Nat.

"So she's Rosalia?" I whispered to Nat.

"I was wrong." She mumbled. "I was very wrong."

"Care to clarify?" I asked, still skeptical. You know, stuff happens when you live with Danny for six years and have atheism installed into your system all day, every day. She turned to look at me and cast a look, a really nasty look.

"I don't understand riddles very well, you know." I defended.

"I believe you are under the shadow of a demon." Said she.

"What?" Said I. "I mean I ain't no Danny, but it sounds ridiculous to even me."

"You need help." She said. "It doesn't matter what you think. I've got the Arch-Bishop at the church. We have to dispel you while we still can."

"But Rosalia, you said it wasn't serious!" Nat mentioned, her voice trembling by now.

"Tricking priests like me is no feat for a demon. I doubt he could do the same for the Arch-Bishop, though." She replied.

"But why do think, that he-" Nat began.

"We've arrived. Get off, there is little time to waste!" She interrupted.

Nat looked at me. Confused.

"Get off! Now!" Screamed Rosalia. She wasn't bluffing, to say the least. The Arch-Bishop stood still as a rock amidst the storm. He eyes, however, were more steadfast, fixated at my face.

"Man, I think I might be starting to believe this shit." Said I.

"Do you think you could hold it in now?" Replied Nat.

"I mean, look at his eyes, babe. They stare right into your soul." I whispered.

"Come here, child!" Said he, in probably the most commanding voice that I ever heard. I hesitated to say the very least, and any rational being would. His eyes were almost lifeless, which prompted me to believe that he knew the outcome and it wasn't pretty.

"Come here, my child!" said he. "Let thy soul be rescued from the depths of the wicked."

"Okay," I began. " I believe you are mistaken."

"I am not possessed by any demon, gargoyle, ghoul, spirit, or anything from that side of the line." Said I.

"Feelings are an illusion, my child," he began. "What you feel is but an illusion of reality. For if the Lord gave the ultimate power of rightful feelings, evil would never befall on humanity. Our Universe would be a Utopia, and He, it's Supreme Emperor."

I stared at him for a while, completely blank, as I turned to Rosalia.

"Does everyone in England, use these fancy words?" I asked.

"Do you understand the gravity of the situation?" She said.

"Well, there is none at all!" I mocked. "Why do you want to exorcise a perfectly fine man?"

"We are not exor-" She began.

"Wait, Rosalia!" He exclaimed. "I see something within him, but, it is not sinister. There is something wrong here. Something utterly unsettling."

His brow tensed, probably the first sign of emotion I saw from him. Confusion over-shadowed all of us as we stood amidst the approaching storm. He raised his hand and looked up at me. His expression turned to that of fear in less than a second. His eyes wide open in horror. Moving his hand to his neck he started struggling to breathe. Soon enough, he began wailing, as everyone rushed towards him. He was catching on his last straws, and it was disturbing to say the very least. I froze, only to be brought back to my senses by the voice of Natalia, who screamed out, "Call an ambulance!" I rushed towards him and raised his head in my arms. He was halfway through life by now. I tried frantically, talking to him, gently slapping his cheek. I did not want him to close his eyes. I did not want to witness death once again. I was screaming by now as well. Every second, I let out a scream, "Don't give up! for God's sake, keep your eyes open!"

He took what I felt was his last breath as he gathered what was remaining of him to place his old, wrinkly hand on my face and whispered his last words, "H-He must leave!" The ambulance was nowhere to be seen.

"This bloody storm!" I screamed. "Rosalia, take him to your car!"

She nodded. I tried my best. We all did. Warming his hands and trying our best to keep his eyes open. Nat and I tried frantically as Rose drove. Those few minutes, were what revitalized my nightmares. Memories of my mother flashed before me.

"Not another one. NOT ANOTHER ONE!" I screamed.

Not another one. I could not afford to witness another death, just because I wasn't strong enough to do anything. Those feelings returned in less than a second. Overwhelmed by helplessness and an utter sense of powerlessness, I broke down. Memories flooded back to me, tearing open those wounds that had been sealed for long enough. I recalled, I relived all those dreadful moments when my mother was stabbed as we walked down the gloomy road back home and all I could do was sit and wail, helpless and pathetic.

"We're here!" Exclaimed Rosalia. "It's the city hospital!'

"Get to the reception, quick!" I ordered. "I'll carry him in!"

She nodded. I took my jacket off and placed it over his head and upper back. He was barely breathing, "Open your eyes, damn it!" I screamed. Attendants rushed out of the front door to aid me, as we got him in and on to the stretcher. He was immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, as we sat outside, fingers crossed.

Time passed as our hearts refused to slow down. Natalia was sobbing, her hands covering her mouth as she did. I walked up to her, and pulled her head into my chest, gently kissing her forehead as she moved her arms around me, still sobbing.

 Rosalia was saying her prayers out loud as we waited for what felt like an eternity. Not long after the pastor walked in and immediately turned to Rosalia.

"What- What is going on, Rose?" He asked, struggling to hold back his tears as well.

She was silent. We all were. None of us could actually explain what was actually going on. The silence tore him apart, as he broke down into tears, falling to his knees, hands folded, as tears rolled down his eyes.

"Did I sw-swear to a life of celibacy, only to see this?" He mumbled. "To witness the demise of my very father, amidst such circumstances?"

"Pastor Charles was adopted by Arch-Bishop Matthew," Rosalia whispered. "He was a homeless orphan on the streets, who the Arch-Bishop took in and loved like his very own son."

"It's okay, Charlie," Rosalia told him, gently patting him on his shoulder. "Your father is no common man, the Lord, himself shall help you witness his rise out of this pit of doom."

Soon enough, a young guy about six feet tall dashed out of the Unit.

"Justin! Who is Justin?" He barked.

"I-I am," I said, totally taken aback.

"Come in," said he. "Quick!"

Those were all the words spoken, as I ran in, leaving all the remaining souls amidst a million questions, as I did.

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